An evaluation of Norway spruce in northeastern United States : Air Pollution and Forest Decline. 14th International Meeting for Specialists in Air Pollution Effects on Forest Ecosystems

1989

1 Abb., 7 Tab., 22 Lit. Ang., En, Zfsg. En

Unselbständiges Werk

9091

200034643

Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were evaluated in twelve plantations within West Virginia (3), Pennsylvania (5), New York (2), and New Hamshire (2) during the period 1987-1988. Fifteen trees were selekted within each plantantion for evaluation of crown symptoms, disease and insect activity, and foliar and soil nutritionals status. Standard mensurational data were collected along with an increment core for growth determinations. Branch samples were collected for foliar nutrient content at the top and mid live crown for each tree. Plantation age ranged from 45 to 85 years. The most obvious symptom of older foliage with increasing symptoms found on younger with increasing symptoms found on younger neddles on the more nutrient poor sites. The most severe symptoms were noted on trees in the Tug Hill Plateau region of New York and at one site near Davis, West Virginia. However, yellowing was in evidence on all sites of lower soil pH and soil nutrient status Mg deficiencies were most notable on acid soils with percent base saturations for Mg at 0.29 to 1.65 %. Folliar Mg content ranged from X = 0.026 to 0.152 percent for the 15 trees sampled within the respective plantations. Significant negative collrelations (p = < .01) were noted for yellowing and foliar and soil Mg contents when all 180 sampled trees were considered.